Monument record MDO1181 - Mound, Frampton

One of four large mounds recorded by the Ordnance Survey, and first shown on a 1963 map, while earlier maps show the area as woodland and do not show the mounds. The form of these features, as depicted on the map, suggests that a prehistoric origin is unlikely. They may perhaps be associated with the landscaping of the park around Frampton House, or be of more modern origin.

(Centred SY 632 954) Four large mounds situated in a line on the west side, and almost parallel with, the Roman Road (Dorchester - Ilchester) RR47. First shown on OS 6" 1963 in an area that was once plantation; the OS 6" 1903 annotates the wooded area as Long Plantation but does not show any indication of the mounds. Nothing visible in the former plantation area on air photographs. <1>

A line of four ditchless sub-rectangular mounds are shown on the OS 25" 1959, situated in an area of cleared woodland along the ridgeway.

Three have been removed since 1963 but were shown as being of similar size, about 31m by 21m and spaced at intervals of 80m and 100m.

The surviving mound at SX 63059556 is 23.5m by 20.0m and 1.4m high with a flattish top covered with tufty grass and has been partly destroyed on its north side.

No information could be obtained locally regarding their origin but the remaining one neither resembles any specific antiquity nor appears old. It seems probable that all were military works of the 1939-45 war or dumps resulting from woodland clearance. <2>

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1969, OS 69/114 012-013 (Aerial Photograph). SDO20300.

<2> Attrill, N J, Field Investigators Comments NJA, F1 NJA 04-FEB-81 (Unpublished document). SDO14743.

<3> National Record of the Historic Environment, 453227 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Nov 16 2023 1:24PM